Scott Statement on June Jobs Report

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement afterthe Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 213,000 jobs in June, with the unemployment rate at 4 percent.

“Today’s jobs report once again shows that – despite consistently low unemployment – wages for American workers are still stagnant. In a fair and functioning economy, the tightening job market would trigger an increase in worker pay as employers compete for talented employees. However, the disappointing annual wage growth of 2.7 percent reflects the reality that there are structural problems in the economy suppressing wages and undermining workers’ access to financial stability.

“Six months after Republicans spent nearly $2 trillion on a tax cut for corporations and the wealthy, the benefits they promised to workers have not materialized. The mirage of one-time bonuses has given way to the realization that many workers are still not getting a fair return on their work. Rather than pursuing another failed experiment in trickle-down economics, we should be setting policies that are proven to improve the quality of life for workers and their families.

“Union workers consistently earn higher pay and have greater access to health care and retirement benefits. That is why Democrats recently introduced two comprehensive bills to defend workers’ rights to join a union and negotiate for better wages and working conditions. The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act and the Workers’ Freedom to Negotiate Act will ensure that public and private-sector workers have the right to stand together and bargain collectively. In the face of unprecedented attacks on workers in the courts, in Congress, and in state legislatures across the country, restoring workers’ freedom to negotiate is critical to rebuilding the middle class and expanding economic security to millions of working families.”